CO129-397 - Public Offices & Others - 1912 — Page 142

Any further communication on this subject should be addressed to--

The Secretary,

War Office,

and the following number quoted.

London, S.W.,

War Office,

083/4655

(M.0.3.)

Sir,

το 13882

141

= RE W 12

London, S.W.

30th

April, 1912.

have done so,

As far as we know nothing which could be described as a

"diary of events" is kept at Peking

Far Eastern Deph

-

I am commanded by the Army Council to inform you that it has been represented by the General Officer Commanding the Troops, South China, that he finds it difficult to keep in touch with the general condition of affairs in China owing to the fact that unlike the General Officer Commanding the Troops in North China he has no direct communication with His Majesty's Minister at Peking, and is only made acquainted with the diary of events issued by the latter through the courtesy of the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Hong Kong, and that frequently after a considerable period has elapsed and when much of the news has become out of date.

2. The Council consider that, in the present critical condition of affairs in China, it is important that the General Officer Commanding the Troops in South China should be kept in touch with the situation so far as it affects military interests, since upon that officer will devolve the dispatch of any considerable body of troops that may be required on an emergency for the protection of British interests in China.

3. I am therefore to suggest that, subject to the approval of The Secretary of State for the Colonies any

information

Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.